We are working on a version of Business Plan Writer designed specifically for Co-operatives and we need you help.

If you are a co-operative or you support co-operatives we would love your input to find out what features and content would be the most use to you and the co-operatives you support.

We would be really grateful if you could complete our short survey – it’ll take you just 5 minutes. You can access the survey by clicking on this link.

The Tool Factory is attending the Co-operative Futures event this weekend and we are running a session on developing tools specifically for co-operatives. We’ll put the results of the survey and the feedback we get at this event up on the blog for everyone to see.

2008 is off to a flying start here at The Tool Factory as we are preparing to launch some new products in the first half of this year.

We will be visiting a number of events this year so if you are planning to attend any of the following do come and say hello. Look out for our prize draws as well. Here at The Tool Factory we love giving things away – last year we gave away ipods and vouchers for a well-known online bookstore. This year we’ve got even more great prizes.

JANUARY

25th – 27th – Future Co-operatives Residential Workshop – we will be previewing the prototype of Business Plan Writer: Co-operatives Version at the workshop with the aim of getting feedback from those working alongside co-operatives.

29th – Citizen’s Advice North Regional Conference – Bev will be running a workshop on social enterprise at this event which is to be held in Preston.

FEBRUARY

26th – 27th Voice08 – this year at Voice08 we will be celebrating one year since the launch of Business Plan Writer: Social Enterprise Version. We will also be launching a new product at the event – more of that at a later date.

MARCH

13th – ACEVO’s Spring Conference “The Business of Charity” – Bev has been invited to speak at ACEVO’s Spring Conference as part of the panel on “Business Development – Driving Growth and Overcoming Market Competition”.

APRIL

25th – 26th – Social Entrepreneur Show – after a very successful two days at the Autumn Social Entrepreneur Show we are returning to the event in April.

JUNE

27th – 29th – Co-op Congress – we will be returning to Co-op Congress again this year ready to launch Business Plan Writer: Co-operative Version.